superpowers Flashcards
What is a superpower?
A very powerful, wealthy and influential nation (country). They have military, economic and cultural influence, and they have influence over what lots of other countries do.
What is a cold war?
A war with no direct fighting. There is growing tension and suspicion between the two nations.
What was the political and economic system of the USA?
A capitalist democracy
What was the USSR? And what does it stand for?
It was basically Russia plus some smaller countries. The United Socialist Soviet Republics.
In what year of World War Two did the USA and the USSR end up on the same side?
1941
Why were the countries not natural friends?
I.The USA lost lots of money when the USSR had turned Communist in 1917.
II.The USA were close friends with Britain and relatives of the British royal family were killed in the Russian Revolution.
What were the three conferences held between 1943 and 1945 to discuss the future of the world after WW2?
Tehran
Yalta
Potsdam
What was agreed at the Tehran Conference in 1943?
I.The Grand Alliance agreed to cooperate.
II.The USA and GB would invade Nazi occupied France at the earliest chance.
III.the USSR would attack Japan.
IV.They would set up the UN.
What was agreed at the Yalta Conference in Feb 1945?
I.Germany would be split into four zones and Berlin would be split into four, despite being in the USSR’s zone.
II.USSR would attack Japan
III.German war criminals would be punished
IV.Free elections in occupied countries
V.Free elections in Poland
Who replaced Roosevelt as President of the USA for the Potsdam Conference?
Truman (suspicious of Communism and did not like Stalin)
What created tension at the Potsdam Conference in Jul-Aug 1945?
I.Change of leaders
II.Stalin wanted influence in Poland
III.The USA used the atom bomb on Japan without telling the USSR.
When did the USA use the atomic bombs on Japan and what war ended as a result of their use?
August 1945, during the Potsdam Conference. WW2 came to an end.
